Edinburgh Fringe venue responds after cancelling pro-Israel comedian

The National

3 days ago

Banshee Labyrinth, on the capital's Niddry Street, responded to allegations made by the pro-Israel comic Philip Simon after the cancellation of a run of his shows this August.
Simon said in a statement on social media that his solo show – Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way – had been dropped by the venue, who cited 'views concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine [which] are in significant conflict with our venue's stance against the current Israeli government's policy and actions'.
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The comic said he had 'never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a path for peace', and claimed he had been 'cancelled just for being Jewish'.
Simon's announcement won support from other comedians, including Scottish circuit regular Mark Nelson, who called it a 'shocking decision', and KC Adam Wagner, who said the situation 'sounds potentially unlawful'.
Responding, Banshee Labyrinth told industry magazine Chortle that they 'obviously have not declined [Simon's] show because of his religious or cultural identity', adding: 'Philip has performed with us before.'
The venue said that routine checks for support of 'rhetoric or symbology associated with discriminatory groups' had raised concerns, both around Simon's social media output and comments he has made on podcasts.
Social media posts on Simon's profile on Twitter/X were cited as reasons for the cancellation.
Hey there UK performers' union @EquityUK, how is this even close to your remit? Why aren't you using our subs to campaign for domestic issues that actually directly affect your members. Take an international stand when it affects actors if you want but this campaign isn't that! pic.twitter.com/v1e9pbfQzh — Philip Simon - Stand Up Comedian (@PhilipsComedy) January 15, 2025
Chortle reported that these posts included one positive response to an AI-generated image of a lion waving an Israeli flag urging 'pro-Israel' accounts to engage, and another post describing the release of 1800 Palestinians as part of a ceasefire deal as a 'sickening ratio'.
Other posts which remain live on Simon's social media show him questioning why the trade union Equity UK – which he quit in November 2024 claiming it had put an 'antisemitic international position ahead of their domestic membership' – would support a march to 'end the genocide' and 'stop arming Israel'.
The Banshee Labyrinth is part of PBH's Free Fringe, which sees acts perform for tips rather than sell tickets. Chortle reported that, informing the organisers of the cancellation, the venue had said: 'Due to the recent controversy, our management had a duty of care to our customers and staff members to review the political statements and opinions expressed by the performer.
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'We found that the views concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine expressed by the performer are in significant conflict with our venue's stance against the current Israeli government's policy and actions.
'We feel it is inappropriate for us to provide a platform for performers whose views and actions align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups associated with humanitarian violations.'
The reference to 'recent controversy' was to the cancellation of another run of Simon's Fringe shows, at Whistlebinkies, also on Niddry Street.
Another Jewish comedian, Rachel Creeger, also had her show at Whistlebinkies cancelled after staff raised concerns of feeling 'unsafe', Jewish News first reported.
PBH Free Fringe chief executive Luke Meredith said: 'The decision not to host the two shows was taken by the venue alone. So far as we understand, this was a staff decision based on last year's experience when they experienced a significant rise in both 'Free Palestine' and Zionist graffiti, together with police notices that they said made them feel unsafe.'
File photo of Jewish comedian Rachel CreegerSimon had been due to host 'Jew-O-Rama' at the venue – a variety show of Jewish performers which was set for its ninth year. Creeger was to perform a show called 'Ultimate Jewish Mother'.
After the cancellation, Simon said: 'Our show is about fun and comedy, not geopolitics. It is disheartening to find out so late in the day that we have lost our venue.
'I've already ordered the fliers and posters, and filled over 80 slots with comedians who will now all lose work.
'Not only has this cost money and taken a huge amount of time, but more than that, it is hurtful that instead of reassuring the young bar staff who raised concerns, the solution was to remove the Jews from the bill.
'This is emblematic of the problem facing Jewish artists and performers in the UK today.'
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Writing in Jewish News, Creeger addressed the Whistlebinkies cancellations by saying: 'They could have reached out to us directly – our working relationship goes back to 2018 – but they didn't and still haven't.
'They could have used the CST [Community Security Trust] contact provided and asked for some training around the subject, but they chose not to.
'Instead, our lovely shows, that are not about politics or the war, were left homeless with 2 weeks to go and everything bought and paid for.'
She added: 'But both Philip and I are not victims, we are experienced performers. We will dust ourselves off, and whether or not another venue turns up, this will become part of our story and in time, comedy material.'